Feature

Sunday, Oct. 4

* 5:45 to 6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show presented by Rt. 66 Hotel Casino* 7 to 8:30 a.m. Mass Ascension * 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ECHO Chainsaw Carving Championship* 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fiesta of Wheels Car Show9 a.m. You're up early and you've still got the whole day ahead of you. Stock up on snacks at Trader Joe's (Best Specialty Grocery Store), Smith's or Sunflower Farmers Market (tied for Best Regular Grocery Store). Go on a picnic in the foothills, or just save some dough while you're on vacation. (All have multiple locations, but these are the ones our readers voted best. Trader Joe's: 8929 Holly NE, 796-0311, traderjoes.com. Smith's: 3701 Constitution NE, 256-9443, smithsfoodanddrug.com. Sunflower Farmers Market: 933 San Mateo NE, 268-5127, sfmarkets.com)10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Of course, if local fruits and veggies are what you're after, don't pass up the Harvest Festival at the Botanic Gardens' Heritage Farm. Pick up produce, sample fresh cider made on-site, and watch demonstrations in the garden, orchard, vineyard and house. Your kids can play games while you shop for crafts and listen to old-time bands. And while you're there, see the brand-new baby elephant at the Rio Grande Zoo, a quick trip away on the BioPark train ride. The Harvest Festival also takes place Saturday, Oct. 3. (Garden or Zoo $7 each for adults, $3 for children 3 to 12 and seniors. Both $12 for adults, $5 for children 3 to 12 and seniors. Garden: 2601 Central NW. Zoo: 903 10th Street SW. cabq.gov/biopark)* 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Balloon Discovery Center) * 5 to 8 p.m. ECHO Chainsaw Carving Championship Auction* 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. Balloon Glow6:30 p.m. Toast the end of the Balloon Fiesta's first weekend at Artichoke Café, voted Best Service in a Fine Dining Restaurant. Plus, if you bring in a ticket stub from any arts venue (theater, gallery, concert, cinema, etc.), Artichoke will take 15 percent off your whole meal (this is true all the time, not just tonight). The restaurant is open for lunch on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and for dinner Sunday and Monday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. (424 Central SE, 243-0200, artichokecafe.com)* 8 to 9 p.m. AfterGlow ™ Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal